Column Type

CCT Compact Carbon Tripod

Tripods have one of two main types of center columns - rapid lift and geared crank. Rapid lift columns are usually lighter than crank columns because less material is required to make them. Crank columns also usually take longer to raise and lower, but are more likely to stay on a target because they don't rotate. Some lift columns have a new design which is faceted instead of round, also to prevent the column from rotating. Read more in the Tripods article in the All About Optics section.